Russian Tactical Air-to-Surface Missiles (ASM):

Never heared of these missiles. What are they?



The development of a prospective high-precision Monolit guided missile for Russia’s Aerospace Forces is nearing its final stages and is ready for tests, a top defense industry official revealed.
“The work is ongoing. It’s too early to provide any details. It’s a classified project. I’ll only say that we are ready to move to the stage of state testing,” Vladimir Lepin, the head of Techmash munitions developer, told Tass.

The state tests would determine if the missile complies with its design characteristics and is fit for serial production.

Lepin first spoke of Monolit in October 2018, revealing that the missile will be launched from warplanes and attack helicopters.

It’s considered a more advanced version of the Broneboyshik (armor-piercer) air-launched unguided missile that has been already tested and is expected to be deployed in the Russian army next year. But unlike its older sibling, Monolit is a guided missile and has bigger caliber (122 millimeters instead of 80mm) and longer range.

The footage of live fire exercises, involving the Broneboyshik missile, first published this summer.


This projectile can affect the target in various ways due to its capability of exploding in front of an obstacle at the moment of contact with it or after breaking through the obstacle. Broneboyshik will boost the arsenals of Su-25 jets and Mi-8 helicopters.

https://www.rt.com/russia/475908-russia-monolit-broneboyshik-missile/

Nice, so the 80mm guided rocket will enter service next year... presumably from those box shaped launch pods that can be fitted to aircraft (manned and unmanned) but could also be fitted to ships and land vehicles manned and unmanned...

And they are clearly making a larger 122mm version... that is nice.

Traditionally they had a range of unguided rockets, from rockets in pods like the S-57 with 57mm rockets from 16 shot and 32 shot pods, through 80mm rockets in 7 and 20 shot pods, as well as heavy rockets of the S-13 type with 122mm rockets which came in a standard 5 shot pod for aircraft.

They also had single rockets without pods called the S-25 which is a single 250mm rocket, which was later replaced by 266mm single tube rockets for rather large heavy rockets.

The 57mm pods were phased out because the warheads were rather light... less than 1kg of HE each and were deemed to not be very effective against better protected targets.

The 80mm remain popular as a standard rocket for use against area ground targets like a group of trucks or enemy troops in the open.

The 122mm rockets were developed to penetrate bunkers and buildings and hardened aircraft shelters and explode inside to do max damage.

The 266mm rockets pack 100kg and 125kg warheads and already have laser homing versions called S-25L.

These new designs seem to fill the gap with guided 80mm and 122mm rockets which can be quite powerful.

The improved accuracy with guidance as long as it is not too expensive should be massively important... you might launch 15-20 or more rockets to take out a group of vehicles at 2km range... with guided rockets you should be able to loft launch them from even greater and safer distances with a one shot one hit success rate against soft targets... meaning instead of 2 or three targets with a 20 shot rocket pod you could probably take on 12-15 targets per pod...

And with the 122mm rockets you could probably take out IFVs and even tanks as these rockets generally have double payloads weighing 20-30kgs... quite a potent payload...

By giving them accuracy and better stand off range you make the aircraft more efficient and much safer.

But it is even smarter than that... most ships will be running with radars off so they are not easily visible so they will be listening intently for a reason to turn their radars on... so you fire your anti ship missiles first followed by your anti radiation models... when your anti ship missiles approach and scan with their radars to select their targets the ships will detect they are under attack and power up their radars etc... which the following wave of Anti radiation missiles will detect and lock on to...

All very fiendish...

But the real giggle is that in the mid 1980s the Germans and the French got together to design a light (800kg) missile that can be carried by fighter aircraft with a missile with a range of about 70km at mach 2 and they were going to call it the ANS or something.

The combined rocket ramjet design was clever... it was just that the Soviets already had the Kh-31 in service and at 600kg it was lighter, and at 110km range was longer ranged, and at mach 3 was faster... and obviously was already in service... damn commies... they copy HATO stuff before HATO even thinks it up...

https://iz.ru/954332/2019-12-14/razrabotchiki-rakety-monolit-rasskazali-o-gotovnosti-k-gosispytaniiam

The newest high-precision guided aviation rocket "Monolit" of 122 mm caliber is ready for testing, said Vladimir Lepin, General Director of the developer concern "Techmash". This is reported by TASS on Saturday, December 14."Work is underway. It's too early to elaborate. This is a closed project. I will say that we are ready to go to the stage of state tests, " the Agency quotes the concern's CEO as saying.

The Monolit missile is being developed by the Techmash concern (a subsidiary of Rostec) to replace the s-13 unguided aircraft missile (NAR).

In may, the development of the missile was at the stage of approval of technical requirements with the Russian Ministry of defense.

The development of the Monolith rocket was announced in October 2018. As Lepin told then, the projectile is intended for combat aircraft and helicopters.

Haven't heared from it before. Does anyone have some news on "Monolit" S-13 rocket?

Isos wrote:They have projects of guided rockets. Fit them with laser guidance, some ailerons to correct their trajectory and keep the same body as former rockets. They can be used from longer ranges with smaller salvos.

It's not new, only the name is.

So you mean it is Ugroza guidance kit? Was thinking about it, but since those are news from 2018 I would assume it was mentioned here before. Haven't been active for to long so I am not uptodate.

It seems to me that Ugroza was not successful... perhaps they couldn't get them cheap enough or accurate enough.

This Monolith seems to be a version of guided versions of unguided rockets for the 80mm and 122mm rockets.

They don't really use the old S-5 rockets in 57mm calibre any more, and primarily use the 80mm and 122mm rocket pods called S-8 and S-13 respectively.

The 80mm rockets as you know are standard general purpose rockets for attack helos and CAS aircraft, while the S-13 122mm rockets tended to be carried by strike aircraft like the MiG-27, Su-17 and Su-24 and now Su-34 and are intended for use against heavier targets including concrete hardened aircraft shelters with aircraft inside.

The S-25 is the big single rocket weapon that looks like an RPG-7 for aircraft with a single launch tube with a rocket whose warhead sticks out the front like an RPG-7 rocket. The warheads are about 150kgs and are rather powerful against hard targets...

The S-25ML uses a nose mounted laser seeker and is laser guided, but the other unguided rockets have been waiting for Ugroza for promised guided versions that have not materialised.

It seems Monolith is the guided solution for 80mm and 122mm rockets...

Will be interesting to see if they are tested in Syria...

Isos wrote:Anyone has the specification of the air lunched Kalibr ? It seems smaller than sea launched ones.

Wiki has something but who knows if it is reliable. One link:

https://defence-blog.com/news/russia-ready-to-sell-3m-54ae-klub-a-missile-to-vietnam.html

Kalibr is not actually a very big missile... there were two models from memory... one was 8m long and the other was about 6 metres long and they were both 533mm calibre...

That's numbers from wiki but they must be correct.

It is a handy reference, but I wouldn't say 100% accurate.

The numbers I have for the for the 3M54E is length 8.22 metres... it is the supersonic terminal phase anti ship missile with the pointy nose and supersonic rocket terminal attack section. The 3M54E1 which is the subsonic all the way to impact model anti ship missile is 6.2m long... both are 533mm calibre.

The 3M14 is basically the subsonic all the way model which means it is about 6.2 metres long too... the supersonic model, which is both longer and heavier is 2.3 tons and the subsonic all the way anti ship and land attack models are about 1.5-1.7 tons.

The domestic subsonic all the way cruise missile has a range of 2,500km.

Have seen CGI video of an air launched Kalibr that is held in a tube which is launched and then the missile itself comes out of the tube.

I rather suspect only the navy would be interested in an air launched Kalibr as the Kh-101 already has almost double its range, though at 2.5 tons and 7.4 metres long it is probably too big for tactical aircraft use... but they would probably use Kh-555s anyway.

IMO the ship lauched version has a much longer range.

The current Kalibr missiles for domestic use have a range of about 2,500km, and would expect the anti ship missiles to have similar range in the domestic version though probably knock 1,000km range off them both because the supersonic terminal portion effectively makes the "warhead" quite heavy, while the subsonic all the way missile has a larger conventional warhead to deal with ships... so both would have shorter range than the land attack model.

The thing is that all three are 533mm calibre to launch from torpedo tubes... new longer ranged missiles designed to fit the 750mm calibre UKSK tubes and 10m length should allow significant range improvements...

Isos wrote:IMO the ship lauched version has a much longer range.

Air launched version needs no boost and that makes it notably shorter and lighter

GarryB wrote:Have seen CGI video of an air launched Kalibr that is held in a tube which is launched and then the missile itself comes out of the tube.

True, that is the way they proposed to make the air launched versions easier to integrate.

I rather suspect only the navy would be interested in an air launched Kalibr as the Kh-101 already has almost double its range, though at 2.5 tons and 7.4 metres long it is probably too big for tactical aircraft use... but they would probably use Kh-555s anyway.

I think the AShM version with supersonic warhead would be a massive improvement for MA-VMF, but the Su-33 has been badly neglected until recently in the strike role, recently they are starting to receive the equipment needed for that role so maybe there could be changes in the future. The missile can go below the radar horizon of any surface unit and perform the terminal approach so fast with such manoeuvring that interception is far from solved today. And given the speed as we have argued, it is much more likely to hit the part of the ship it intends, despite countermeasures (inertia of the ship does not allow to substantially change course in the few seconds time from detection to impact). With 300 km range, added to that of a naval fighter, it can strike very far away of the plane's carrier. And with that lethality, I would not be surprised if the combat load of one or two planes would transform with high probability in one mission kill against almost any kind of low to medium displacement ship. I am not sure the land attack version has so much value in air launched version, since the surface or sub launched ones already have the range needed in most cases.

The current Kalibr missiles for domestic use have a range of about 2,500km, and would expect the anti ship missiles to have similar range in the domestic version though probably knock 1,000km range off them both because the supersonic terminal portion effectively makes the "warhead" quite heavy, while the subsonic all the way missile has a larger conventional warhead to deal with ships... so both would have shorter range than the land attack model.

The surface launched, supersonic version has a range of 600 km from what I have read. Therefore an air launched version would be actually very useful.

EDIT: Good link here:

https://www.ausairpower.net/APA-Rus-Cruise-Missiles.html#mozTocId95513

Found this missile at another forum.....Anyone know what it is?

The chines at the nose have apparently been removed, below the old version

https://zen.yandex.ru/media/id/5cd99ef65bca0f00b018fa04/h50--novaia-krylataia-raketa-dlia-tu22m3-5f546524f7495128e48960f5

С 2010 года вовсю идёт разработка современной ракеты «Х-50», известная так же как «изделие 715» в конструкторском бюро «Радуга».

Ее создание в основном направлено для «Ту-22М3», ведь отсек для бомб у этих бомбардировщиков маловат для «Х-101».

Длина крылатой ракеты около 6 м, а вес - полторы тонны. Дабы повысить аэродинамические характеристики и улучшить незаметность в радарах противников, корпус решили немного приплюснуть и сделать определенные углы.

Позаботились и об объеме грузоотсека для бомб «Ту-22М3», выбрав лучшую форму самой ракеты.

С «ТРДД-50АТ» - турбореактивным двигателем, ракета без труда сможет пролететь более полутора тысяч км на скорости 950 км в час. «Х-50» способна передвигаться на небольшой высоте, что позволит избежать перехвата со стороны ПВО противников.

На сегодняшний день планируется выпуск боевой части в трёх вариантах:
•кассетном
•осколочно-фугасном
•ядерном

Есть сравнить крылатую ракету с «Х-59МК2», то можно заметить сходство в силовой установке и системе управления. Кроме того, она оснащена инерциальной, навигационной и электронно-оптической корреляционной системе наведения.

Since 2010, the development of the modern X-50 missile, also known as the "715 product" in the Raduga design bureau, has been in full swing.

Its creation is mainly aimed at the Tu-22M3, because the bomb bay of these bombers is too small for the Kh-101.

The cruise missile is about 6 meters long and weighs one and a half tons. In order to increase aerodynamic characteristics and improve invisibility in enemy radars, they decided to flatten the hull a little and make certain angles.

We also took care of the volume of the cargo compartment for the Tu-22M3 bombs, choosing the best shape for the rocket itself.

With "TRDD-50AT" - a turbojet engine, the rocket can easily fly over 1,500 km at a speed of 950 km per hour. "Kh-50" is capable of moving at low altitude, which will avoid interception by enemy air defenses.

To date, it is planned to release the warhead in three versions:
• cassette
• high-explosive fragmentation
• nuclear

If you can compare a cruise missile with the Kh-59MK2, you can see similarities in the power plant and control system. In addition, it is equipped with an inertial, navigation and electro-optical correlation guidance system.

Not exactlly tactical air to surface missile, but still interesting. Russia is testing new stealth cruise missile Kh-50 for Tu-22M3 bombers. It will weight around 1500 kg, have a range of more than 1500 km and speed of 950 km/h. Missile will be 6 m long. Considering its mass of around 1500 kg, this missile will be also perfect for Su-30SM, Su-34 and Su-35 fighters to carry one or three of them. With modernization Su-33 could use it as well. This missile would give them great stand off capabilities for strikes against important targets.

medo wrote:https://zen.yandex.ru/media/id/5cd99ef65bca0f00b018fa04/h50--novaia-krylataia-raketa-dlia-tu22m3-5f546524f7495128e48960f5

Not exactlly tactical air to surface missile, but still interesting. Russia is testing new stealth cruise missile Kh-50 for Tu-22M3 bombers. It will weight around 1500 kg, have a range of more than 1500 km and speed of 950 km/h. Missile will be 6 m long. Considering its mass of around 1500 kg, this missile will be also perfect for Su-30SM, Su-34 and Su-35 fighters to carry one or three of them. With modernization Su-33 could use it as well. This missile would give them great stand off capabilities for strikes against important targets.

It would be a great addition for the VKS indeed. BTW, the picture is the Norwegian NSM, I dont know why they used it...

I think the AShM version with supersonic warhead would be a massive improvement for MA-VMF, but the Su-33 has been badly neglected until recently in the strike role, recently they are starting to receive the equipment needed for that role so maybe there could be changes in the future.

Keep in mind even if the Russian Air Force or Aerospace Defence Force are not interested the Russian Navy has Su-30s and other platforms including MPAs that could carry these weapons around the place... and surface launched models are a given as well...

The missile can go below the radar horizon of any surface unit and perform the terminal approach so fast with such manoeuvring that interception is far from solved today.

The main point with this weapon is its mach 2.9 flight speed at sea level... you really need a powerful rocket motor to achieve this... a short range AAM like Sidewinder has a flight speed of about mach 2.5 but launched from low altitude at a low altitude target its speed is more like Mach 1.5 and its effective range is dramatically reduced... it would not be able to chase down this missile for example.

And given the speed as we have argued, it is much more likely to hit the part of the ship it intends, despite countermeasures (inertia of the ship does not allow to substantially change course in the few seconds time from detection to impact).

This might sound weird but the initial scan from the missiles radar alerting the target that it might be under attack would be interesting because most ships captains wont light up all their radars if they detect a radar signal from 1,000km away... but the might start turning the ship so that it is either bow or stern on to the potential threat... just as a precaution to make the ship a smaller target.... but the speed of this missile means it will fly low all the way and when it gets close it rapidly accelerates remaining very low until impact... the kinetic energy of such an impact will cause it to penetrate multiple sections of the ship... but if it is side on the risk is that it might punch right through and come out the other side before the warhead explodes... hitting the bow or stern means it has the full length of the ship to penetrate and explode in causing much more damage.

Of course even just punching in one side and out the other and it is game over for that ship... it is limping home for repairs...

With 300 km range, added to that of a naval fighter, it can strike very far away of the plane's carrier.

300km is the export model with range limited to 300km...

I am not sure the land attack version has so much value in air launched version, since the surface or sub launched ones already have the range needed in most cases.

Being similar to the Kh-555 I don't think they would be enormously useful... though being able to fly 1,000km on a tangent so it attacks the target from a different direction could be valuable... like flying down from Iran to where Yemen is before launching a missile at Saudi Arabia for instance...

The surface launched, supersonic version has a range of 600 km from what I have read. Therefore an air launched version would be actually very useful.

Nah... the whole point of subsonic turbofan powered carrying stage is to add range... if the range is 1,500km then it makes sense but if it is only 600km then you would be better off with an Onyx with the new fuel flying high but at mach 5 and 800km range plus... and Zircon on the way to double the speed and increase the range even further in an air launched model.

Found this missile at another forum.....Anyone know what it is?

Good, that thing needed a new designation...

The chines at the nose have apparently been removed, below the old version

Most stealthy objects I have seen with such things tend to lose them...

This kh-69 doesn't look official or real.they already tested the kh-59mk2 in Syria but the image wasn't of good quality to see which version it was (mk2 or kh-69).

Even if the guts are still Kh-59 they do need a new designation for this missile and Kh-69 is good enough for me....

We also took care of the volume of the cargo compartment for the Tu-22M3 bombs, choosing the best shape for the rocket itself.

With "TRDD-50AT" - a turbojet engine, the rocket can easily fly over 1,500 km at a speed of 950 km per hour. "Kh-50" is capable of moving at low altitude, which will avoid interception by enemy air defenses.

OK... that is a bit of a let down... 1,500km range I was expecting but 950km/h means it will be traveling at a similar speed to the aircraft that launched it... so it certainly is not a Kh-16 type mach 5 nuclear warhead armed weapon to clear enemy air defences ahead of the bomber...

Not exactlly tactical air to surface missile, but still interesting. Russia is testing new stealth cruise missile Kh-50 for Tu-22M3 bombers. It will weight around 1500 kg, have a range of more than 1500 km and speed of 950 km/h. Missile will be 6 m long. Considering its mass of around 1500 kg, this missile will be also perfect for Su-30SM, Su-34 and Su-35 fighters to carry one or three of them. With modernization Su-33 could use it as well. This missile would give them great stand off capabilities for strikes against important targets.

Except they already have the Kh-555 with greater range... probably 100km/h slower but 3,000km range....

Disappointing.

GarryB wrote:Nah... the whole point of subsonic turbofan powered carrying stage is to add range... if the range is 1,500km then it makes sense but if it is only 600km then you would be better off with an Onyx with the new fuel flying high but at mach 5 and 800km range plus... and Zircon on the way to double the speed and increase the range even further in an air launched model.

Even India's Hypersonic missile program is making steady progress. It was tested again, earlier today

https://twitter.com/SandeepUnnithan/status/1302889563359117312?s=20

Details of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) test:

1. Speed achieved by the scramjet demonstrator: Mach 6
2. Altitude of flight : 30 km.
3. Duration of flight >22 seconds.